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Seeing as Turkey is vying for a position in the EU and it's part of numerous European councils, Turkey isn't generally considered a Middle Eastern country.

by tkahn6 15y ago

patrickas 15y ago
OK then what happened to Lebanon ;-)
- tkahn6 15y ago
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index According to that Israel is a 'Flawed democracy' and Lebanon is a 'Hybrid regime'. I cannot say I'm familiar with the political system in Lebanon, but I do know they've been having some major issues with their government lately. IIRC they haven't had a functioning executive branch since they agreed to comply with the UN investigation into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. Hezbollah (effectively the military of Lebanon and a very strong political power) is extremely unhappy with this because the allegation is that they assassinated him.
tibbon 15y ago
I thought we brought democracy to Iraq (or I hope that's what we got out of that), and Egypt is holding their first election in forever in November. The area's getting better overall in terms of democracy it would seem, with or without our protection of them.
- Tycho 15y ago
  It strikes me that one reason surrounding regimes are/were so hostile towards Israel is because they don't want their own people 'getting ideas.'
  - maayank 15y ago
    You're being downmodded, but it is a fairly documented point[1] and a very valid one in "Middle Eastern studies" academic circles[2]. [1] quick googling turned for example http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/04/01/full-comment-forum-israeli-scapegoat-fails-arab-autocrats/ http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/04/01/full-comment-... [2] due to time constraints I can't find recitations now, so take it at face value. Sorry. EDIT: eh, life just gave a brilliant new example: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/michaelweiss/100092061/breaking-syrian-state-documents-show-assad-orchestrated-nakba-day-raids-on-golan-heights/ http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/michaelweiss/100092061/bre...

Seeing as Turkey is vying for a position in the EU and it's part of numerous European councils, Turkey isn't generally considered a Middle Eastern country.

by tkahn6 15y ago

Seeing as Turkey is vying for a position in the EU and it's part of numerous European councils, Turkey isn't generally considered a Middle Eastern country.

patrickas 15y ago

OK then what happened to Lebanon ;-)

tkahn6 15y ago
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index According to that Israel is a 'Flawed democracy' and Lebanon is a 'Hybrid regime'. I cannot say I'm familiar with the political system in Lebanon, but I do know they've been having some major issues with their government lately. IIRC they haven't had a functioning executive branch since they agreed to comply with the UN investigation into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. Hezbollah (effectively the military of Lebanon and a very strong political power) is extremely unhappy with this because the allegation is that they assassinated him.

tibbon 15y ago

I thought we brought democracy to Iraq (or I hope that's what we got out of that), and Egypt is holding their first election in forever in November. The area's getting better overall in terms of democracy it would seem, with or without our protection of them.

Tycho 15y ago
It strikes me that one reason surrounding regimes are/were so hostile towards Israel is because they don't want their own people 'getting ideas.'
- maayank 15y ago
  You're being downmodded, but it is a fairly documented point[1] and a very valid one in "Middle Eastern studies" academic circles[2]. [1] quick googling turned for example http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/04/01/full-comment-forum-israeli-scapegoat-fails-arab-autocrats/ http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/04/01/full-comment-... [2] due to time constraints I can't find recitations now, so take it at face value. Sorry. EDIT: eh, life just gave a brilliant new example: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/michaelweiss/100092061/breaking-syrian-state-documents-show-assad-orchestrated-nakba-day-raids-on-golan-heights/ http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/michaelweiss/100092061/bre...